BOB OJALA

Bob Ojala created an entertaining, yet historical and factual book about Great Lakes men and women merchant sailors, including comments from the only American woman Captain of a large Great Lakes ore carrier.

Bob is a Wisconsin native. His father was a Merchant Mariner for 32 years, giving Bob the interest in the Maritime Industry, his hundreds of contacts with sailors, and his respect for their profession.

He has a BSE in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan.  Bob spent four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, 17 years as a ship Surveyor with the American Bureau of Shipping, and 8-1/2 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in addition to 30 years in his own business as a marine consultant.  Bob is still active in the marine industry.